Checkpoint Chat

This week on Checkpoint Chat, couriering packings has never been better as Death Stranding 2 continues to delight on many fronts. Mafia The Old Country returns the series to its linear roots, for better or worse, while Battlefield 6 feels familiar and modern in all the right ways. Finally, we check in on Metavoidal, a new metroidvania where you play as a drummer trying to escape and evil metal band!Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - Internet has come a long way00:10:10 - Death Stranding 2 is so strange (but we love it)00:36:01​ - It's early days for us in Mafia: The Old Country 00:45:03 - the Battle

This week on Checkpoint Chat, Matty is loading up cargo both physically and virtually as he concludes his thoughts on Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Then there's monkey business on the horizon with the latest Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, Donkey Kong Bananza, before we answer... a listener question?Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - Moving vans, bed sizses, and cuddling00:16:44​ - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a GOTY contender for sure00:41:30 - Donkey Kong Bananza is packed with Nintendo goodness01:05:07 - Speaking of Nintendo... Silksong?01:08:56 - A QUESTION!#gamingpodcast #gamingchannels #

On the latest episode of Checkpoint Chat, we've had out Nintendo Switch 2 consoles for over a month now and have a lot to say about its design, some pitfalls, and the value of Mario Kart World. Then it's off to Australia and its tar spider-infested forests in Death Stranding 2, all the feels we felt at the end of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and the enduring pull of Elden Ring Nightreign.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.socialWant to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - Why is networking so complicated???00:11:45​ - So, is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth getting right now?00:45:03 - Death Stranding 2 is all about the vibes01:11:36 - Clair Obscur: E

It's a big week this week on Checkpoint Chat, with the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, a brand new Mario Kart, and the new satisfying clicks of a Joy-Con. There's also loads of other games to talk about, like Elden Ring Nightreign, Blue Prince, and a bunch of upcoming titles such as Resident Evil Requiem from Summer Game Fest.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - Resident Evil Games Fest00:24:15​ - What are we seeing at the Xbox showcase00:32:53 - We have the Nintendo Switch 2!01:02:35 - Blue Prince is unbelievably good01:17:18 - Elden Ring Nightreign is forcing us to GET GUD#gamingpodcast #gamin

This week in Checkpoint Chat, Matty and Sandy are still floored by how exceptional Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is, turns out the demons of medieval times are just as fun to slaughter in Doom: The Dark Ages, and can you guess which of the characters in Final Destination are recurring ones? We sure can!Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - White noise and sides of the bed00:16:13 - Matty is loving Clair Obscur: Expedition 3300:43:45 - Doom: The Dark Ages is a welcome change01:05:35 - Frontlogs are the future01:06:36 - Horror movies and the return of bed sides#gamingpodcast #gamingchannels #gamingreview

We're back at last and filled to the brim with nonsense discussions! This week we dive into Metroid Prime Remastered, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Monster Hunter Wilds. There's also talk of the Nintendo Switch 2, which is just around the corner... Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter:   / checkpointchat​​  Facebook:   / checkpointchat  Instagram:   / checkpointchat  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointch... Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh...-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - The mystery behind blue light filters (SOLVED!)00:16:07 - South Africa really does rule00:19:42 - Metroid Prime Remastered absolutely holds up00:27:10 - Assassin's Creed Shadows is comfort food for sure00:28:37 - Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is dense (but good)00:39:12 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 i

It's our last episode for a while, so pull up a seat for fresh impressions on 33 Immortals and final thoughts on Assassin's Creed Shadows! Bonus content this week includes: pigeons and their personal poop agendas, and the sun. Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - Pigeons are assholes00:06:28 - 33 Immortals is an interesting game for sure00:30:04 - We rolled credits on Assassin's Creed Shadows!00:54:36 - The sun is an asshole too (sometimes)#gamingpodcast #gamingchannels #gamingreview

This week on Checkpoint Chat, it's all about sneaking around (sometimes) in a gorgeous feudal Japan in Assassin's Creed Shadows! Does Ubisoft's latest additions to one of its biggest franchises have what it takes to pull them out of their recent slump, though? Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - Getting up early (by choice)00:05:57 - We're playing Assassin's Creed Shadows!01:08:18 - An announcement about content in April#gamingpodcast #gamingchannels #gamingreview

This week on Checkpoint Chat, there are monster to hunt out there and weapons to craft from their corpses, with both Matty and Sandy absolutely in love with Monster Hunter Wilds. What's new in the sequel to Capcom's most successful game of all time? Quite a bit actually!Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - The secret appearance of the sun, and fresh Windows installs00:05:57 - Our full review of Monster Hunter Wilds00:49:55 - A quick check on our comfort food games#gamingpodcast #gamingchannels #gamingreview

This week on Checkpoint Chat, we check out Microsoft's first big game of the year with Obsidian finally releases Avowed. Is it the finally a game to fill the Skyrim-shaped hole in your heart or has the long wait underdelivered?Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - Desk makeovers and Amazon deliveries00:29:10 - We rolled credits on Avowed!01:03:42 - A quick look at the first half of 2025#gamingpodcast #gamingchannel #gamingreview #gamingnews

We're back from an extended break and ready to talk about all the latest games like...2024's sleeper hit Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, as well as 2005's own Half-Life 2 (which turned 20 a short while ago). Join us in easing into the new year just before the avalanche of games in February kicks in.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.socialWant to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - WE ARE BACK (and running lots)!00:18:47 - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is fantastic00:42:25 - Console Wars in 2025?00:54:04 - We revisited Half-Life 201:07:10 - Damn we're old...01:11:48 - When last did they make a game based off a movie???#gamingpodcast #gamingchan

It's been a hell of a year for videogames, so join us in celebrating some of the best experiences the last 12 months have offered us by looking back at some standout experiences. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchat Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat -- SHOW NOTES -- 00:00:00​ - Intro 00:03:38​ - Best Game That Not Enough People Played 00:10:45​ - Best Game To Play With Friends 00:16:08​ - Best Astro Bot Gimmick 00:20:51​ - Best Game To Get To In 2025 00:25:02 - Best Remake / Remaster 00:27:24​ - Best Game With An Even Better Soundtrack 00:35:37​ - Shout outs from Sandy 00:36:31​ - Shout outs from Matty 00:40:10​ - Sandy and Matty's #5 00:43:55​ - Matty's

It's that time of year again where Geoff Keighley is opening up the stage to celebrate the best of the best and hopefully sneak in some surprising announcements along the way. Sandy and Matty return for their annual TGA predictions, with some surprising suggestions on who will walk away with the most accolades. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchat Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat -- SHOW NOTES -- 00:00:00​ - Pour one out for Sandy (maybe) 00:04:42 - Our predictions for The Game Awards 2024 00:54:47 - What big reveals will we see? #gamingpodcast #gamingchannel #gamingreview #gamingnews

This week on Checkpoint Chat, Metaphor: ReFantazio has us locked into one of the best role-playing games of this generation, LEGO Horizon Adventures looks great but feels a bit thin, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is 2024's sleeper hit, and Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has promise despite big technical issues Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchat Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat -- SHOW NOTES -- 00:00:00​ - Flight shenanigans and Arcane chats 00:14:50 - Metaphor: ReFantazio still has us hooked 00:34:20 - a quick Game of the Year detour 00:37:39 - LEGO Horizon Adventures is a little too basic 00:49:56 - We finished The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wi

It's a stacked week on Checkpoint Chat! We do a 180 (noscope) on Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, go too fast in Sonic X Shadow Generations, mess with the balance of nature for no real reason in Monster Hunter Wilds, have our eyeballs treated in Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and collect them all in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchat Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat -- SHOW NOTES -- 00:00:00​ - We have no time for RPGs! (But we actually do) 00:07:33 - Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 completely surprised us 00:27:14 - Sonic X Shadow Generations goes too fast! 00:45:57 - Monster Hunter Wilds feels way better than it looks (... literally?) 01:04:46 - Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is gorgeous 01:15:18 - Pokémo

This week on Checkpoint Chat, Metaphor: ReFantazio has us hooked with its familiar and drastically improved take on the classic Persona formula, while innovation is the name of the game in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and its far more varied campaign and gameplay mechanics. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchat Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat -- SHOW NOTES -- 00:00:00​ - AI is coming for our jobs! Or is it? 00:16:15 - Metaphor: ReFantazio has us HOOKED! 00:45:30 - Mixed feelings on Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 01:02:39 - What's do you call the next Call of Duty? #gamingpodcast #gamingchannel #gamingreview #gamingnews

This week on Checkpoint Chat, Sandy and Matty copy everything in sight to solve emergent puzzles in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, enjoy delightfully loot-ridden action in Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred, and take a trip back in time to a period where Dragon Ball Z games were a little simpler, and for the better, in Dragon Ball Z: Sparkling Zero. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchat Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat -- SHOW NOTES -- 00:00:00​ - Aircon privilege and the Mandela Effect 00:14:48 - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is charming as heck 00:30:30 - Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred is a bloody good time 00:52:44 - DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO feels like it's over 9000!!! 01:05:20 - Dead Rising Deluxe Rema

This week on Checkpoint Chat, it's been 18 years since first meeting swole photographer Frank West, but he's never looked better than he does in Dead Rising Deluxe Remastered. Matty finally takes some time to sink his teeth into Diablo 4 and discovers just how well the game has evolved, before giving a final, final verdict on just how incredible Astro Bot is. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchat Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat -- SHOW NOTES -- 00:00:00​ - Calls in public and eavesdropping 00:11:52 - Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster surprisingly holds up 00:31:23 - Diving into Diablo IV in preparation for Vessel of Hatred 00:51:57 - We platinumed Astro Bot! 01:03:55 - Final thoughts #gamingpodcast #gamingchannel #gamin

This week on Checkpoint Chat the deck is stacked once again with Astro Bot, Quidditch Champions, Star Wars Outlaws, and Concord all getting extensive love, with the silly season of game releases in full swing already. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchat Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat -- SHOW NOTES -- 00:00:00​ - It BARELY rains in London 00:09:30 - Astro Bot is 100% a GOTY contender 00:30:57 - Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is... middling 00:52:19 - Even with its flaws, we LOVE Star Wars Outlaws 01:15:20 - What went wrong with Concord? #gamingpodcast #gamingchannel #gamingreview #gamingnews

This week on Checkpoint Chat, we travel to a galaxy far, far away to pickpocket everyone in sight in Star Wars Outlaws, we ponder the viability of Concord in today's saturated games as a service market, and calculate the perfect moves in one of this year's standout hit, Tactical Breach Wizards. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchat Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat -- SHOW NOTES -- 00:00:00​ - Making the sausage (reviewing games edition) 00:16:30 - We're playing Star Wars Outlaws! 00:38:22 - Concord is a decent game that launched at the wrong time 01:03:07 - Tactical Breach Wizards is magical 01:13:26 - Quick thoughts on gamescom #gamingpodcast #gamingchannel #gamingreview #gamingnews